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Community Reformed News2

February’s Prayer of the Month Our Father, you called us and saved us in order to make us like your Son, our Lord Jesus

Christ. Change us, day by day, by the work of your Holy Spirit so that we may grow morelike him in all that we think and say and do, to his glory. Amen.

--Soren Kierkegaard, Danish Theologian and Philosopher

Youth Group ResumesSarah Huiest

During February and March, Youth Group will meet for grades 7-12 to discuss what

it means to be a missionary and to explore the value of giving of time and service.We will focus on our personal goals and passions in life. Our first meeting will be

Sunday, February 6th, from 12:30-1:30, in the gathering room. All youth grades 7-12 are invited to attend and are welcome to bring friends. For more information,

please see Sarah Huiest.

She watches as the parents of the newbornJesus bring their first born son to be pre-

sented to the Lord, according to the Law of Moses.

Suddenly, two pious elders, Simeon andAnna, greet Mary and Joseph with stunning

words.

That day the young gentile hears Simeon‘s

declaration that the infant Jesus is the Sav-ior of all people,  ―32a light for revelation to

the Gentiles and for glory to your people Is-rael.‖ Then she witnesses Anna‘s prophecy

that Jesus is to be the ―redemption of the

world.‖ 

Lauren‘s character becomes our witness to

the events, but also our spokesperson. Atfirst we merely hear her story, but then she

begins to express our own thoughts:She exclaims for us, on hearing Anna‘s

prophecy, ―I wonder about the meaning of those words."

She voices our own deepest need, ―If wha

Simeon says is true, and this baby is thChosen One, does that mean he will ope

up the doors so that every person, even Gentile, can worship … Almighty God?‖  

And she expresses our own greatest desire  ―Perhaps that baby, when he grows ucould show me that ―something more,‖ tha

place on the inside, with God.‖  

Yes, we do wonder at the unfathomabl

depth of the love of God in the gift of JesusWe each long to be admitted to into God‘

family. And we want the God of the wholworld to say, ―Come in. I have a specia

place for you.‖  

In the end, the young woman wonders she will have the courage to look into th

eyes of Jesus knowing it could change hewhole life. It‘s a decision we all must make

Thank you, Bruce, Sandy, and Lauren fo

using your talents to bring God‘s messaghome to us.

(Drama in Worship  — Continued from page 1)

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  Community Reformed News3

Our Operation Christmas ChildShoeboxes went to… 

Democratic Republic of CongoAND Haiti!!

Sarah Huiest

Every year, our Sunday school children participate iOperation Christmas Child. They fill shoeboxes witChristmas gifts for children in need throughout thworld. Last year‘s shoeboxes went to Angola. Thiyear they sent out 15 shoeboxes, and we havlearned they were sent to two different countries

Some were sent to Democratic Republic of Congo, neighboring country of Angola, and others were sento Haiti!

When the children receive their gifts, they are alsgiven Gospel storybooks and participate in a 12

lesson Bible study. There is a new, additional bible study program, ThGreatest Journey, which will be of-fered to 21,000 children in Democ-

ratic Republic of Congo and 125,000children in Haiti who receive a shoe-box gift! Children, who have neverheard of Jesus, are able to experi-ence His love through the generosityof our Sunday School children andby hearing the Good Word firsthand.

A very special ―Thank you‖ is deservedby the Saturday Morning Women‘

Group, the Sunday school families and

the Sunday school teachers for coverin

the cost of shipping. ―Thank you,‖ also

to all of the Sunday school families an

teachers for generously filling the shoe

boxes with gifts, love, and prayer.

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Community Reformed News4

December 201

Join an international panel of diverse scholars, featuring Walter Brueggemann! A webcast event, January 20-21

Explore strategies for youth ministry, with Kenda Creasy Dean's proteges! January 22 

Greetings! 

A new year and new possibilities to inspire and informyour faith and your congregational life. Don't miss thesopportunities!

"Coin and Kingdom: 

Would Jesus Toss

Us Out Today?"  

Jesus tossed the money changers out of the temple--would he toss us

out of the church today? Do our financial practices align with our be-

liefs? This course explores spiritual as well as practical information

about the church and its money. For everyone who deals with money

in the church.

See website for more info! 

When:  Saturday, February 26 

9am - 3pm 

Where: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 

10 N. Main Ave, Albany, NY 12203 

Fee: $75 by Jan. 26; $85 thereafter 

Registration deadline: February 10, 2011

Register Now!

*photo by BotheredByBees' photostream; license:

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en 

Quick Links 

Visit our Website! 

Register Now 

About Us 

View Our Other Courses! 

CRTC's Mission is to: 

Equip with tools for developingand expressing faith;

Connect people and resources,

creating community; and

 Inspire a commitment to re-newed discipleship and spiritualgrowth.

Join us!

Sincerely,

Martha ReisnerCapital Region Theological Center

There's something for everyone in our January line-up!  

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  Community Reformed News5

Schenectady City Mission  A Call to Service

Sue Bredice

January 

Budget UpdateKevin Bottini

Beginning last issue, Cross

and Comments promised

to provide you with peri-

odic financial reports and

overviews of the budget.

Our January update is in-

cluded to the right. Shouldyou have any questions or

concerns, please feel free to

contact one of the Finance

Committee members:

Becky Miner, Pam

Stryker or myself.

You can email me at

kbottini@kgbcpas.com. 

The Schenectady City Mis-sion depends on volun-teers to serve dinner at

the mission every night.CRCC has been assigned

to be dinner servers 8times throughout the

year. Those who haveserved will tell you that it

is much more than placinga plate of food in front of someone. There is

fellowship, conversation, and thanksgiving.

March 3rd is the next time we are sched-

uled to serve. Servers are expected to be atthe Mission by 5:15 and are finished serving

by 6:30. Transportation is available to any-one who would like to volunteer, or you canmeet at the Mission.

Bakers are also needed to make brownies so thdiners will have dessert. If you are interested iserving or baking, or if you have any questions

please contact Sue Bredice or Pam Chandler.

The Schenectady City Mission is located at 42Hamilton Street. For directions, please log onto

www.citymission.com or contact Sue or Pam.

  ‗Lord, when did we see you hungry andfeed you, or thirsty and give you some-thing to drink? When did we see you a

stranger and invite you in, or needingclothes and clothe you? When did we see

you sick or in prison and go to visit you?‘ 

The King will reply, ‗I tell you the truth,whatever you did for one of the least of 

these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘ 

Mathew 25: 37-40

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Community Reformed News6

TALENT AUCTION

March 6th

 

at theCommunity Reformed Church

In Colonie

12:30 Lunch provided by M.E.S.S

Men’s E cumenical Scripture Study

(a nominal fee will be charged)

1:15 AuctionAuctioneer – our own

RON SMITH

WE NEED TALENTS TO AUCTION!!!Are you a great baker? Donate your favorite baked good!!!

Are you a handyman? Donate some of your fix-it skills!

Are you a crafter? Donate a craft!

Can you babysit? Donate a night (or day) of babysitting!

Do you prepare a special dish? Donate a homemade meal!

If you have a special talent or skill, we would love for you to share it! 

“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. In-stead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.Luke 8:15-17 

Please donate your talent! Any questions? Sue Bredice 458-8601or email sbredice@yahoo.com. Donation forms can be found on the

tables in the back of the church. Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts!  

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 Caring For Creation

February 2011

Whenever possible,

use alternatives to

salt for de-icing.

Kitty litter or sand

provides traction as

well as helping melt

the ice by absorbing

daytime heat. These

alternatives do not damage the vegetation

around the area, pollute the soil, nor harmthe concrete. 

Happy February Birthdays to… Bob Becker Sue Bredice

Missy Ebli Marion Fuchs

Debbie LaRose Danielle Lilkas

Janel Nelsen Madison O‘Connor

Steve Smith

(If you haven‘t told us the birthday monthsof your family members and would like them

included in this monthly feature, please con-

tact Lou Ann Connelly at 356-3745 orlouannconne@nycap.rr.com) 

Community Reformed News7

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

~Mark 6:31

R and R  Rest and Re-creation in the Spirit 

Wednesday, February 9, 7 PM

This is a time of peaceful renewal of the spiritthrough prayer and song.

Worship leaders are Rev. Bruce Cornwell, Laurie Bonesteel,Shawn Turner, and Alison Stevens.

For more information, contact Rev. Cornwell, or Lisa McGee.

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ROOM for ALL to HOST SHOWER OF STOLES

The Shower of Stoles project is an extraordinary collection litur

gical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of les

bian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people of faithThese religious leaders have served in over thirty denomination

and faith traditions, including the Reformed Church in America

and come from six countries on three continents.

This collection celebrates the gifts of LGBT persons who serve God in countless ways

while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexua

orientation or gender identity. The Project bears witness to the huge loss of leadershi

that the Church has brought upon itself because of its own exclusionary policies. Begin

ning in 1995 when a Presbyterian minister chose to set aside her ordination because she

faced being defrocked as a lesbian pastor, the Project now includes over a thousan

stoles, testimony to the lives and voices of LGBT persons of faith who have been silenced

by the church.

Beginning in early February and continuing until March 5th, a collection of 150 of the

stoles will be on display at RCA churches throughout the Capital District. The stoles wi

be introduced at a special meeting of the Albany area Room for All group on February 9 t

from 7 – 9 p.m. at The First Church in Albany, 110 N. Pearl Street. The evening will in

clude a chance to see the stoles and read the attending stories, followed by a worship ser

vice at which representatives of several local RCA congregations will be ―commissioned

to take about 25 stoles to be displayed at their home church. The collection will be re

turned to First Church, Albany, for a March 3 – 5 Room for All Eastern Region trainin

event for equipping church leaders, ―Building an Inclusive Church.‖  

This exciting Project is an opportunity for us to learn the powerful stories of the stoles, to

pray for LGBT pastors and church leaders, and to join in support, solidarity and prayer a

we seek to become fully welcoming and

affirming of all God‘s people.

All are welcome to attend the February9th event. If you would like to arrange

for a portion of the collection to be dis-played at your church, please contact

Joe Doolittle at aldenjoe@nycap.rr.com, or (518) 384-1700 by January 31st. For

more information about Room for All orthe March training event, please go to

www.roomforall.com  or contact MarilynPaarlberg, Executive Coordinator, at

(201) 364-4538.

Community Reformed News8

Room for All Newsletter

Room for All  is an organization of ReformedChurch in America members supporting thefull inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender persons in the RCA. Rev.

Cornwell serves on the steering committeeof the Capital District chapter. Anyone

wishing to receive an electronic version of the Room for All quarterly newsletter, should

send their email address to newslet-ter@roomforall.com. 

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  Community Reformed News9

Temporary-Editor: Lou Ann Connelly Layout Designer: Bob Becker

Articles are due by the 15th of the month and can be submitted to

louannconne@nycap.rr.com or given to Lou Ann Connelly.

Friendship Sunday

On February 6th,

2011, CRCC Sun-

day school will

once again cele-

brate Friendship

Sunday. On this

day, the children

are encouraged to

bring a friend toSunday school.

Together, the chil-

dren explore what

the Bible says

about friendship and what this means

for their relationships. They also learn

about the steadfast love and support

God provides for them.

Please consider bringing your own

friend to church that Sunday to share

God‘s word with them. 

Heart PrintsWhatever our hands touch---

We leave fingerprints!

On walls, on furniture,On doorknobs, dishes, books,

 As we touch we leave our identity.

Oh please where ever I go today,Help me leave heart prints!

Heart prints of compassionOf understanding and love.Heart prints of kindness

and genuine concern.

May my heart touch a lonely neighbor Or a runaway daughter,

Or an anxious mother,

Or, perhaps, a dear friend!I shall go out today To leave heart prints,

 And if someone should say 

"I felt your touch," May that one sense be...

YOUR LOVE 

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Dear Friends,With deep appreciation, we thank you all for the gift you presented to us on Christmas Eve.

As we begin our 23rd year at the Community Reformed Church, we give thanks to our Lord for

the never-ending support and encouragement this congregation offers.

We are truly blessed to be a part of this amazing family in Christ.

Peace,

Bruce and Sandy